We’re working towards a single vision at Praxair: to be the best performing industrial gases company in the world — as determined by our customers, employees, shareholders, suppliers and the communities in which we operate.

In his new role, Roberge will be responsible for setting strategic direction for corporate-wide research and development activities and for coordination of global market networks that facilitate the rapid transfer of technology to support customers.

Roberge joined Praxair in 1973 and has held a variety of technical and business development roles in both process and applications technology before moving to Global Supply Systems as director of product line development in 1998. He became vice president of Praxair MRC in 1999 and vice president of sales and business development for Praxair Electronics in 2002, and president in 2005. He holds a bachelor of science degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and a master of science degree from the University of Michigan, both in chemical engineering.

Succeeding Roberge as president, Praxair Electronics, is Mark Murphy, formerly vice president, finance, for Praxair Asia. Murphy will be responsible for growth in revenues and operating profit for the global electronics business and expansion into the rapidly growing Asian market. At Praxair Asia, he was responsible for all administrative functions in finance, information technology and human resources. Murphy has prior experience in Praxair's electronics business in both financial and business roles. He holds an undergraduate degree from Marquette University and a master’s degree in business administration from Harvard University.

Praxair is one of the largest industrial gases company in North and South America, and one of the largest worldwide, with 2007 sales of $9.4 billion. The company produces, sells and distributes atmospheric, process and specialty gases, and high-performance surface coatings. Praxair products, services and technologies bring productivity and environmental benefits to a wide variety of industries, including aerospace, chemicals, food and beverage, electronics, energy, healthcare, manufacturing, metals and others. More information on Praxair is available on the Internet at www.praxair.com.